Saint Columbanus

Saint Columbanus or “Columbán” (543-615 CE) was one of the greatest missionaries of the early Catholic Church who led the “Hiberno-Scottish mission” of conversion across much of what is now Western Europe in the late 6th and early 7th century CE. Although chiefly remembered as the founder of Bobbio Abbey in present-day Italy c. 612-614 CE, St. Columbanus also founded Luxeuil Abbey in present-day France. Columbanus was additionally a poet, writer, and scholar. He remains venerated in both the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church, and is the Patron Saint of Motorcyclists. His feast day is on November 23 in Ireland and November 24 for Benedictines.